The Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Institute of Health Carlos III, ISCIII) is the main Public Research Entity funding, managing and carrying out biomedical research in Spain.
The Institute has been conducting research and providing key services in the life and health sciences for over 20 years. It is also the body responsible for managing Spain's Health Research and Development Strategy within the framework of the National R+D+I Plan.
The ISCIII reports directly to the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Royal Decree 345/2012) and in operational terms to both this Ministry and to the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality (Royal Decree 200/2012). Its key mission is to support the development of scientific knowledge in the health sciences and to contribute to innovation in healthcare and the prevention of disease.
Putting patients and the public at the heart of all its activities and objectives, the Institute promotes and coordinates biomedical research and provides scientific and technical services of the highest quality in partnership with all the organisations forming part of the Spanish System of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Mission
The key mission of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) is to provide scientific and technical services for the National Health System and to promote and carry out research in the Health and Life Sciences.
Vision
The ISCIII is the national institution responsible for the Health Research and Development Strategy (AES) of the National R+D+I Plan. It operates via three planning, management and operational areas: the AES; its own Centres, Foundations, Networks and Consortiums; and Scientific and Technical Services Platforms, the leading international support service for biomedical research in Spain.
Function
The activities of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) focus on three areas:
Biomedical research: the promotion and development of highly competitive research of excellence.
Technical and scientific services: Providing quality support services to the General State Administration and to the National Health System.
Scientific and technical training in healthcare: training programmes in public health, administration and management in healthcare, and scientific administration and management, aimed basically at health professionals.
Strategy
The strategic planning of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) is part of the National Strategy for Science and Technology (ENCYT) and the National R+D+I Plan and is subject to the guidelines established by the Joint Committee of representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality.
The ISCIII implements this strategy via the following instruments:
The Health Research and Development Strategy, as set out in the 2012 National R+D+I Plan.
Its policy on its own centres, foundations, networks and consortiums.
Common platforms for scientific and technical services.
Agreements with Autonomous Communities and other institutions.
Its basic objectives are:
The generation of knowledge in health sciences.
To have a positive impact on public health.
The generation of wealth via innovation and the creation of different business initiatives.
